Pan-Fried Spam and Pineapple Rice Bowl
A savory and sweet combination of pan-fried Spam with caramelized pineapple served over fragrant jasmine rice. This filipino-inspired pork ready in about 25 minutes pairs (12 oz) Spam, fresh or canned pineapple chunks, cooked jasmine rice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 can (12 oz) Spam
- 1 cup fresh or canned pineapple chunks
- 3 cups cooked jasmine rice
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 stalks, sliced green onions
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: Remove Spam (1 can, 12 oz) from the can and slice into 1/2-inch thick pieces. Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and fry Spam slices for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden and crispy on the edges; then remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add remaining 1 tbsp vegetable oil and sauté minced garlic (2 cloves) for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add pineapple chunks (1 cup) and cook for 3-4 minutes until caramelized and slightly browned.
- Step 3: Return the fried Spam to the skillet, drizzle 2 tbsp soy sauce, sprinkle 1/4 tsp black pepper, and toss with pineapple for 1 minute until heated through and coated.
- Step 4: To serve, divide 3 cups cooked jasmine rice evenly into bowls, top with the Spam and pineapple mixture, garnish with sliced green onions (2 stalks) and 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Fried Spam and Pineapple Rice Bowl take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Pan-Fried Spam and Pineapple Rice Bowl?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (12 oz) spam from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Fried Spam and Pineapple Rice Bowl?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Pan-Fried Spam and Pineapple Rice Bowl for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Pan-Fried Spam and Pineapple Rice Bowl?
Filipino pork like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
